The marquee event returns to US soil in 2017, and heads to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship was created in 2006 and held in Clearwater, Florida until 2011. It then moved to Henderson, Nevada, where athletes were treated to a much more challenging course. In 2014, the event took place in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec—its first stop on the new global rotation for the championship. The event headed to Europe for the first time in 2015, where Zell am See, Austria, hosted an epic and memorable event. In 2016, Australia's beautiful Sunshine Coast hosted an incredible race week.

More than 3,000 athletes from around the world (who qualified at another IRONMAN 70.3 event) will compete at this prestigious race. More than 130,000 athletes participate in a season of qualifying races for the championship, a series which consists of over 85 events in locations such as Australia, Germany, South Africa and Switzerland. Participants in the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will range in age from 18 to 75-plus, and will represent over 70 countries.

2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship: Chattanooga, Tennessee

The 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will take place in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The championship race will be a two-day event with the professional and age-group women racing on Saturday, September 9 and the professional and age-group men racing on Sunday, September 10.

Known throughout the Southeastern U.S. as the Scenic City due to its proximity to Lookout Mountain, striking riverfront and vibrant downtown, Chattanooga lures athletes with its dramatic backdrop, idyllic weather, and low-key southern charm. Already host to annual IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, Chattanooga provides a fast course with a swim in the Tennessee River. Four bridges cross the river over the swim and a pedestrian Riverwalk runs along the entire swim course making it ideal for spectators. Chattanooga is full of attractions, eclectic dining spots and great places to stay.